9. Dance with your fears

10. Set a timer

When I learned to set a timer and to challenge myself to focus for 25 minutes and then take a break, I became a lot more productive.

11. Fix details later

When you try to fix details while writing a first draft, like adding an example or looking up a quote, you risk losing your train of thought.

12. Don’t write until you’re empty

Leave some enthusiasm in your tank, so getting started tomorrow is easier.

13. Embrace shitty first drafts

You can’t revise messy thoughts in your mind, but you can edit crappy writing.

So, give yourself permission to write badly.

A first draft is a starting point.

14. Creativity requires a plan

Productive writers have a process for turning messy thoughts into writing, a plan to get started, and a toolbox to get unstuck.

When we plan without overplanning, we can let our creative muse dance.

15. No one perfect writing process exists

Each blog post is different, and each time I thought I had found the perfect process, I hit a new stumbling block.

So, the key was learning not to get frustrated and get myself unstuck.

16. Chop up the writing process

Your brain continues processing your ideas even when you’re not writing. So, when you spread your writing over several days, you get better ideas and you write faster.

17. Don’t worry about your writing voice

Instead, focus on communicating your ideas clearly and write from the heart.

Your voice will appear as if by magic.

18. Get to know your inner critic

When I drew a picture of my inner critic, I finally learned how to work with her.

19. It’s okay to obsess about details

Perfectionism only turns ugly when you feel anxious about your writing and when you worry that others may criticize you.

20. Making mistakes is not as bad as we think

We’re all human.

21. Stretch yourself

Writing on auto-pilot kills the joy of writing. So, if you get stuck in a rut, it’s time for a new creative challenge: Change your format, try storytelling, dream up a new metaphor or tiptoe outside your main topic.

Creativity thrives on experiments and new adventures.

22. Writing is thinking

The process of writing forces you to bring logic to your thoughts.

23. There’s intrinsic joy in writing

An honest confession: I don’t just write for you.

I also write because I enjoy playing with words and I have learned to welcome the challenge of formulating my thoughts.

Writing for you has been an honor

I have never taken your attention for granted. I’ve appreciated each of your comments.

Even though I also write for myself, writing this blog has been a conversation with you.

“13. Embrace shitty first drafts You can’t revise messy thoughts in your mind, but you can edit crappy writing.

So, give yourself permission to write badly.

A first draft is a starting point.”

Can we take a moment to appreciate the power in this statement? I have slowly been discovering that what applies to the rules of writing often applies to life in general, this statement confirms that. Imperfection is part of the process. Once we embrace our imperfection and learn to love it, we suddenly have the power to change it. It’s the great irony of life. Thank you for sharing this blog with its personal touches with us, it’s great to have tangible insights into your writing highs and lows – as the writer we all look up to.

I totally agree with each and every one of your 23 lessons. I too have been blogging for 6 years, and never ran out of subjects. When you are really into your subject, there is always more to investigate and write about. So, keep up the good work and above all keep enjoying what you do! Love to read your blogs, and am always enchanted…

These insights are fantastic and well-earned. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

For me, the power of focus has been my biggest win lately. I’m working on a course, trying to get to the finish line, and it seems like it’s taking forever. It’s amazing how a half hour here and an hour there add up to something.

Thanks again for this post. I’m looking forward to another year of your enchanting words!

I loved #18, drawing your Inner Critic to get to know her better. There is so much fear in the unknown, and as Nelson Mandela said: If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

I hear your thoughts and find that I have many of the same thoughts myself in many cases. I procrastinate because I think and I write then I rethink and change what I am Writing. That’s wrong I know, I must stop and make it a second writing time. I appreciate your thoughts, trails and fears because I have those and a few that are only my own. Please keep writing, I am learning so much.

No one writing process exists that works for everyone, and sometimes revising while writing can work well. It only becomes a problem when you get so stuck in details that you lose your train of thought and forgot what you want to write. However, if you feel stuck and don’t know what to write next, rereading or editing what you’ve already written can be a good way to get unstuck.

I, too, have blogged for a long time, but have begun to slow down. Reading all this makes me think I should go back to some of my first posts and just read. Seems that would rekindle some of that joy you mention. And thank you for blessing obsessing. That makes me feel so much better. 😉

I also think it’s okay to slow down as our priorities shift. We can’t always do everything. When I changed my blogging schedule from weekly to every other week, I initially felt guilty about it, as if I wasn’t writing enough. It took me about a year to get used to the bi-weekly schedule and now I’m happy with it.

This has made me laugh out loud. I recently felt as though my ideas well was running dangerously low, so I started to read novels again. And you’re right – ideas breed ideas. Thank you for the validation, and the laughs 🙂

Henneke, thank you for every word. I love your blog and adore the positivity, the attitude, and insights you share. I too have caught the writing bug but as much as I try it is always squashed by the procrastination rock. I do write some articles for work and I have used a ton of your suggestions. Keep it up, you have made a huge impact and your voice is delightful!

Writing and publishing regularly has definitely boosted my confidence, too. It’s not always stable—confidence ebbs and flows, but it’s definitely on the way up and it’s become easier to get through the periods when my confidence is dented.

I’ve found #16 to be my best thinking and writing pattern – “Your brain continues processing your ideas even when you’re not writing. So, when you spread your writing over several days, you get better ideas and you write faster.” Loved this article – and all your posts!

While I love your content, and yes, I’ll probably purchase your course, can I be honest? I’m weary of the lack of grace & beauty in the current view, I cringe at off-color language or tawdry innuendos. I think you are amazingly talented and just don’t need to use those kinds of methods. I find myself stumbling over those references, both annoyed distracted, losing the focus of what I look to your content for in the first place. With lots of warm but truthful wags,

Writing voice (and word choice) is such a sensitive subject, with people from different cultural backgrounds having different sensitivities. It’s not easy to write for an international audience, including both native and non-native English speakers.

I try to stay true to my voice, even if that means that occasionally people feel annoyed with my choice of words. I know sometimes people unsubscribe because they don’t like the way I write. That’s okay. It’s not possible to please everyone all the time.

I love the way you take the threads of writing advice, creative advice and life advice and plait them together throughout your blog. You take us along on your own journey and it’s both inspiring and companionable in the same moment.

I’m encouraged when you share points like “An empty creative well does not exist” with a simple suggestion: take care of yourself and your muse will return.

I also love that you advocate dancing with your fears. This is a creative courage of which I need constant reminding.

Thank you for your bi-weekly conversations with us. I’m raising my water glass here and drinking to many more years of writing pleasure for you and us.

Hello Ms. Henneke Firstly, I have to say this post is a very interesting reality check. Especially the method you utilize to more-or-less keep yourself in bounds. Dancing with your fears is one way of dealing with them that simply never occurred to me. Virtually every aspect of writing is simply a joy. I’ve been a weekly columnist for a small town newspaper for the past three-plus years. Other interests include poetry, philosophy and I’ve jus submitted my first manuscript for publication. There has been an interest in blogging but I’m simply uncertain, as you were early on, how to start and continue the process. How did you overcome this obstacle and does it, even now, sometimes plague you?

I use various tactics so it’s easier to start a new blog post. For instance, I pick an idea and write a rough outline the day before I write a first draft (or sometimes a couple of days before). I also use a timer, so I get in my writing mode more quickly. I also write the parts I find easier to write first—so I skip writing a final headline and I skip the intro, and start with writing the main body of the post. It can also help to follow a “template”—a structure for writing a post.

As you’re an experienced writer, I wonder whether there’s something specifically to holds you back from blogging? Do you know who you want to write for? Do you feel overwhelmed by setting up a blog (you could start on Medium or LinkedIn first? Or have you not decided what your blog will be about? I made some educated guesses on my blog niche and ideal reader profile (and changed both within the first year).

Yes, please, Henneke! Keep up writing and blogging! Not only it is always enjoyable to read you but I also learn something new and interesting each time. Thank you very much for inspiring me for my own writing 🙂

Hi Henneke! Your content has always been a pleasure to read. Not only does it soothes the harsh voices in my head but also it tends to cultivate new ideas. I love the way you write and most importantly I love to be able to explore your writing. I am one grateful reader of your content! Thanks ?

Henneke! Let me tell you Ever since I launched my “how to make more money”, business and personal finance blog, you have always been a great help to my sustenance in inspiring my fans, and my readers’ lives. They always appreciated my magic in writing as a result of your influence.

My fans are glad to enhance their finance and businesses with my business blog which has been a great influence from your blog. Thank you so much Henneke! God will continue to bless you! More greases to your elbow!

As a business with a blog attached we know the importance of adding good content regularly. However we often feel “too busy” to keep it up. You are really inspiring though Henneke and help keep us on the right track!

I love reading your tips because I always find a bit of advice I can use. It’s true that a regular writing habit improves your speed and abilities, I found that out through challenges, NaNoWriMo (even though I wasn’t trying to write a novel), and blogging daily for a year-long project one time. I blog regularly but not necessarily every day. I hope to keep improving with practice, although I am growing tired of the constant rejection letters. (Read my poem on Rejection in Chalkboard on Medium) Thanks for the tips and suggestions!

I find it so interesting that some people thrive on challenges like NaNoWriMo and others hate such challenges. We all have to find our own ways for setting writing goals and nurturing a regular writing habit.

I’m so glad I found your blog today. I have been struggling with maintaining my new site. For me, it’s all to do with the crippling fear of not getting everything out of my head properly. So I really needed to read this post!!

Your advice to change negative thought patterns and to show up regularly are spot-on.

Getting into the habit of writing every day, even just a little bit, helps me to know that making a living with my writing *is* possible. And like you indicated, the more we write the easier it becomes to write more!

In his book The Slight Edge, Jeff Olson makes the point that small actions we do on a consistent basis make all the difference.

His point is that small actions are just as easy *not* to do, and so we often skip them. This also makes all the difference but in the wrong direction.

Your tip to show up regularly is a step in the right direction. Thank you for the post!

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I never saw myself as a writer, but in my early forties, I learned how to write and discovered the joy of writing. Now, I’d like to empower you to find your voice, share your ideas and inspire your audience.Learn how I can help you